What is the estimated value of this Japanese woodblock print triptych?

This Utagawa Yoshitsuya woodblock print triptych, "At the Battle of Takadachi," is estimated to be worth between $2,000 and $3,000. This valuation is based on its status as a masterwork by a prominent Edo Period artist, its desirable warrior subject matter, and its exceptional state of preservation with vibrant, unfaded colors. Selling through a specialist Japanese art auction is recommended to achieve this range.

What era is this Utagawa Yoshitsuya woodblock print from?

This woodblock print triptych by Utagawa Yoshitsuya is from the late Edo Period, precisely dated to November 1857 by its official censor seals. This period was a golden age for ukiyo-e, particularly the "musha-e" (warrior print) genre, which this piece exemplifies. Yoshitsuya was a leading artist of the Utagawa school, known for his dramatic compositions and historical subjects.

What condition is this Utagawa Yoshitsuya triptych in?

The Utagawa Yoshitsuya triptych is in excellent visible condition for its age. The colors are remarkably vibrant and unfaded, and the paper appears clean without significant foxing, tears, or creases. This superb state of preservation, especially the strong color retention and clean background, is uncommon for prints from this era and significantly contributes to its estimated value.

Where should I sell this Utagawa Yoshitsuya woodblock print?

To maximize its value, it is strongly recommended to sell this Utagawa Yoshitsuya woodblock print triptych through a specialist Japanese art auction house in the United States, such as Bonhams Los Angeles. Alternatively, a leading specialist dealer like Ronin Gallery in New York could offer a direct purchase. These venues attract knowledgeable collectors who appreciate the rarity and quality of such Edo Period works.

Is this Utagawa Yoshitsuya woodblock print authentic?

Yes, this Utagawa Yoshitsuya woodblock print triptych is assessed with high confidence as authentic. The artist's signature, publisher's mark, and censor/date seals are clearly legible and correspond exactly to documented examples of this 1857 print held in major museum collections, including the Smithsonian Institution. This strong authentication supports its market value.

What makes this Yoshitsuya print valuable?

This Yoshitsuya print is valuable due to several factors: it's a celebrated masterwork by a prominent Edo Period artist (Utagawa Yoshitsuya), depicts a highly desirable dramatic warrior scene ('musha-e') with a mythical white dragon, and is a complete triptych in exceptional, well-preserved condition with vibrant colors. Its rarity in such a state, combined with its historical and artistic significance, drives its market appeal.

Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866), 'At the Battle of Takadachi in Ōshū Province in 1187, a White Dragon Ascends to Heaven from the Koromo River,' Woodblock Print Triptych

Estimated value: $2,000 - $3,000. Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866), 'At the Battle of Takadachi in Ōshū Province in 1187, a White Dragon Ascends to Heaven from the Koromo River,' Woodblock Print Triptych (Edo Period, 1857) — a researched valuation with cited comparable sales in Asian Art, from findthevalueof.com.

About this item

This powerful triptych is a quintessential example of 'musha-e' (warrior picture), a genre of Japanese woodblock print that reached its zenith in the mid-19th century. Created in 1857 by Utagawa Yoshitsuya, a leading pupil of the great master Utagawa Kuniyoshi, the print captures the public's fascination with the nation's epic history and folklore. It depicts the final, tragic battle of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, one of Japan's most revered and romanticized samurai heroes. The scene is charged with supernatural drama, a hallmark of Yoshitsuya's style. As Yoshitsune and his loyal retainers make their last stand at the Koromo River, a divine white dragon—a symbol of power and fortune—ascends to the heavens amidst a torrential storm. For the burgeoning merchant class of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), who were the primary consumers of these prints, such images were the blockbusters of their day, offering thrilling narratives of heroism, loyalty, and myth. This specific design is considered one of Yoshitsuya's masterpieces and is held in the collections of major museums worldwide, connecting its owner to a rich artistic and cultural tradition.

How the value was reached

The valuation is based on the print's status as a masterwork by Utagawa Yoshitsuya, its desirable subject matter, and its exceptional state of preservation. While no recent auction records for this exact triptych were found, comparable warrior-themed triptychs by Yoshitsuya and other major Utagawa School artists in good condition typically sell in this range at specialist Japanese art auctions. The remarkable color vibrancy and completeness of this example command a premium. Based on the low estimate, a reserve of $1,600 would be appropriate. After a typical seller's commission of 10-15%, net proceeds would be approximately $1,700 to $2,550.

Comparable sales

tsukioka yoshitoshi 1839 1892 yorimitsu shiten o oeyama kishin [Matched item is LOT 205 on the linked page — direct lot page: https://www.christies.com/lot/tsukioka-yoshitoshi-1839-1892-yorimitsu-shiten-o-oeyama-kishin-6547876/?intObjectID=6547876&lid=1] — sold for 2,286 USD (Christie's), N/A
Comprising nine oban triptychs of actor, bijin-ga and warrior prints: three actor and one bijinga by Kuniyoshi, including one depicting the story of the Soga brothers and one depicting ladies listing to a blind man playing a koto, variously published and all signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga; one of actors by Toyokuni depicting Bando Mitsugoro, Matsumoto Koshiro and Iwai Hanshiro, signed Toyokuni ga; — sold for £1,062.50 (Bonhams), 2013-11-07
An ukiyo-e by Konishi Hirosada, portrait of the actor Nakamura Utaemon IV, chuban format. An ukiyo-e by an unknown artist, a kabuki scene, perhaps Kuniyasu or Kuniyoshi, possibly a part of a polyptych, oban format. — sold for €140.00 (Carlo Bonte Auctions), 2023-05-24

Expert notes

This is a genuine and highly desirable 19th-century woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshitsuya. The seals on the print date it to 1857; however, a gallery label on the frame gives a date of 1877. This could indicate it is a slightly later printing from the original blocks. Before a sale, we recommend a brief unframing by a specialist to confirm it is a 'lifetime' impression from 1857, which would maximize its value.

This report is one of the worked examples in our guide What is your Japanese woodblock print worth?.